Why shipyard capacity must be funded early

When should Britain begin expanding shipyard capacity?

As early as possible, because major infrastructure has long lead times and today's delay can become tomorrow's strategic constraint.

Yards such as Cammell Laird and Appledore could expand if naval funding grows, but capacity takes years to create. Britain's 2010 debate over nuclear power stations shows how a defensible short-term decision can leave the country exposed to later energy shocks. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and higher gas costs made the deferred capacity more consequential. Hindsight can make old choices look foolish even when their immediate logic was understandable. A later anecdote about Napoleon ordering slow-growing shade trees planted immediately restates the same long-horizon principle. The practical lesson is to begin infrastructure investment before the need becomes urgent.